The Islanders have managed to record eight wins in 10 games and collect 25 points, to sit on top of the table. But it's the team's improving performance that matters to coach Sergio Lobera.
Mumbai City are now five points clear at the top of the standings over the second-placed Mariners right at the halfway stage of the league.
ATK Mohun Bagan are two points adrift of Mumbai City with six wins, two draws and one loss. They are also on a five-match unbeaten streak.
Goals from Mourtada Fall (9'), Bipin Singh (15') and Bartholomew Ogbeche (84') helped the Islanders remain unbeaten in their last eight games and climb to the top of the table.
Both teams made a couple of changes to their line-ups, Boumous and Mandar Rao Dessai returned to Sergio Lobera's starting XI while for Kerala, Costa Nhamoinesu and Lalthathanga Khawlhring were named ahead of Abdul Hakku and Rahul KP.
After losing to NorthEast United in their opening match in November, Mumbai City have been on a six-match unbeaten streak, with victories on five occasions
In a match where both sides struggle to create clear-cut chances, Vignesh's acrobatic 38th-minute strike stood out as a genuine quality moment.
Adam Le Fondre smashed in a 75th-minute winner after Hernan Santana (45th) had cancelled Jakub Sylvestr’s first goal.
A penalty from Batholomew Ogbeche (30th minute) and a header from Rowllin Borges (45th) gave Sergio Lobera's men their third win in four games and their first-win ever over Odisha in the league.
Mumbai's much touted attacking strength was on show against East Bengal with the likes of Ahmed Jahouh, Rowllin Borges and Adam le Fondre all making a mark.
Hugo Boumous assisted all three goals as a brace from Adam Le Fondre (20', 48') and a strike from Hernan Santana (58') saw Mumbai register their second straight win with SCEB yet to open their account.
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Despite heavy odds, the Robbie Fowler-coached East Bengal put up a creditable show in their first outing of ISL against ATK Mohun Bagan.
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For Mumbai City head coach Sergio Lobera, it will be the first time he will be up against his former club which he guided to League Winners Shield last season and to the group stage of AFC Champions League.
Mumbai went in with two strikers up front with Adam Le Fondre playing as a makeshift right winger along with Bartholomew Ogbeche.
A red card and a penalty turned a game, that Mumbai were otherwise dominating, on its head and handed NorthEast United FC a winning start at the Tilak Maidan.
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Mumbai City have never won the coveted trophy and would be hoping that there is a turnaround in fortune under new coach Sergio Lobera, who had guided FC Goa to Super Cup win in 2019.
While 22-year-old Ranawade joins the Islanders on a one-year contract, 21-year-old Rohlupuia has inked a four-year deal.
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